The Need for Growth

Introduction

Introduce self

Dismiss Children

Continuing in Acts

Remember, written by Luke, to Theopholis around 60 ad

The books full title is the acts of the apostles and it documents the early churches beginnings and early expansion.

Much of which was centered around men and women who decided to be apart of the work God was doing and becuase of that becoming who God made them to be.

Today we are going to see a passage where the early church continues it’s transition into the church it is becoming.

It’s exactly where every church should be…in transition.

It’s where each one of us should be as individual followers of Jesus…in transition

Transition from who we are to who God has called us to be.

The theological term is sanctification can be defined as “ to wash, cleanse, consecrate or set it aside for a special purpose. Sanctification is a Christian teaching about how God transforms a person, making them fit for a holy purpose. Sanctification includes a change of heart, a desire to love God and other people.”

This is should be the goal of each believer. We should feel the privelage and obligation it is to live our lives for Jesus.

Character-Christians and churches in Transition

Many have said that a growing church is always in transtion and so is a growing Chrisitan.

Have you ever been told “your not the same as you used to be”?

you’ve changed?

While I hope that’s not in a negative light, it should be a common saying to us as followers of Jesus as we grow closer to Him.

Colossians 3:9–10 “9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; 10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:”

THat putting on tf the new man is a daily struggle. Rmember, we pick up our cross die. We die daily. It’s perpectual growth until Jesus comes.

Problem-People not being sanctified or growing

Are you growing though? Are you taking your next step of faith?

The early church was not made up of spiritual giants.

Remember, there were 12 disciples and 120 people in the congregation, the advancement of the kingdom of God wasn’t accomplished because 12 people did it…yes they played a major role but the life changing truths of the gospel were spread by men and women who consecrated themselves to Christ and be faithfully obedient to theri purpose.

Individuals lives were changed, families were changed, communities were changed becuase of individuals taking personal responsiblity for their sanctification.

Agitated- semblence of godliness but denying the power thereof

However, what happens when followers of jesus don’t?

What if the early church had chosen not to become who God made them to be?

Would they have been able to call up another Apostle after judas’ sucide?

Would they have been able to ask for 7 deacons who were

Acts 6:3 “3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.”

Were they born that way? I don’t think so. The Apostle’s asked for men full of the Holy Ghost. That means saved, indwelt by the Holy Spirit of God and full of wisdom? Wisdom doesn’t just come to a person.

The early church would have stopped real quick.

What will happen in your homes if your not growing as a follower of Jesus?

What will happen in our community?

In our church?

I’m afraid we will fall victim to what I think religion is

2 Timothy 3:5 “5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”

Solution-Decide to become who God made you to be

What do we do then? Attend church more often? maybe

Go to life groups? I think you should.

Take college level classes about the bible to learn more? if you want…

watch youtube preachers? ummm…be careful.

I think we have to do what the early church did and take personal responsiblity for our spiritual growth while allowing others to impact us.

What does that look liek though?

It means you choosing to pursue Jesus when no one is looking.

It means to help others pursue Him as well.

It doesn’t mean becoming someone your not.

Our text today will focus on the leadership of the church however I want you to know something.

Living for Jesus isn’t about becoming a leader in the ministry. It may be for some people. However, there are some that living for Jesus and growing clsoer to Him means being behind the scene. IT means being the husband or father mother or wife, brother or sister, and child of God your meant to be.

And whether you are the person out front or behidn the scenes, the purpose of growth is the same, to grow others.

Guide-The disciples

That’s what the disciples did.

That’s what Jesus did.

He lived out His purpose while investing in the lives of others.

Helping them to know God more and become the men who who lead the church after He was gone.

How are we as followers of Jesus helping others become who God made to be?

It has to start with becoming who we are made to be.

Because there is a need in our homes, our church, our community, and our world for men and women of character based on their faith in Jesus.

That’s who the disciples were looking for in replacing Judas.

Journey-Acts 1:15-26

Acts 1:15.

Last week we talked about the first imperfect church being made up of imperfect people who shared a common purpose and gave grace, forgiveness, and love. And I’m thankful for a church culture that does that.

These passages today deal with the isntallation of the new apostle and give the requirements for what that looks like.

Before they install the new Apostle Dr. luke gives us the reason why one is needed

Acts 1:15–20 “15 And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,) 16 Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus. 17 For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry. 18 Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out. 19 And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood. 20 For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take.”

Peter establishes here

1. Spiritual Development is a Spiritual Matter

Peter doesn’t start the speech to bring on a new leader with “There is a practical matter that needs to be cared for…” He says there is prophecy that needs to be fulfilled.

There is the word of god which needs to be obeyed. There is a spirutal matter here that needs to be cared for.

The prophecy Peter is referencing is in

Psalm 69:25 “25 Let their habitation be desolate; And let none dwell in their tents.”

-This is about the field of blood that he speaks about. The priest purchased it with the money Judas through back at them. It was not named that becuase of his blood being spilt on it it was the blood that was spilled by the betrayel he committed for the money.

Psalm 109:8 “8 Let his days be few; And let another take his office.”

Here is the direction for another person to take the role he was meant to hold…

From the beginning followers of Jesus have been directed by “Thus saith the Lord”

This doesn’t negate the practical matters of life. However it does help us understand

John 4:24 “24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”

We worship and live for God based on who He is, what He has done, and How He says.

Can I be transparent for a minute? truthfully I’m just oging to tell some of you what you already see I think.

I can be very practical as a follower of Jesus. I grew up in an overly psiritualized environment and I think it’s the natural response to it. However after recognizeing it I now get to work on it.

I’m afraid some others may relegate their spiritual growth and development to more practical means.

When we think of growing spirutally I thinkw e immeditatly put a checklist in our mind.

Read bible more- check

Pray more- check

Memorize scripture-check

SErve-check

Tell others about jesus-check

none of those re bad but when we make it a checklist…what happens if we fail?

what happens if we fall short?

If you made your relationship with your spouse a checklist what is that like for you?

When I got back to my faith in 2012 I felt I needed to make up for lost time. I was consuming biblical content like it was cool. Learning all i could. Engaging in free online bible studies about the big theological terms of scripture. I remember the first one I want after was soteriology, or the doctrine of salvation. My friend Jason and I started on it.

I listened to preaching, I had only worship music on, and at that time it was hymns or gospel quartet style only.

I look back and I thought I was growing like crazy…and to an extent I was…but now I’ve learned it…I’ve checked the boxes…how do I grow now?

I live it. But you know what that means? It’s means I wont grow as fast and I can’t put an end to it. It’s constant.

Sanctification is not like a degree plan.

There isn’t a certain amount of studying you can do to become who God made you to be. There is a lot of living you have to do to become that person and do you know when you finally receive your graduation gown and diploma?

The moment after you die.

Know what else?

Sanctification is more like homeschooling than it is traditional school.

There are some in homeschool who you will ask “what grade are you in?” and you will be be met with “I’m in 5th grade math, 4th grade english, and 6th grade science.” o…ok…

know what…that’s fine though. We are all at separate parts of our spiritual journey. But what does the kid in 6th grade math do for the one in 5th grade? Help.

And tha’ts why there are spiritual leaders

Ephesians 4:9–13 “9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:”

This leads to our second truth

2. Spiritual Development is for God’s purpose

Acts 1:21–26 “21 Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection. 23 And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. 24 And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, 25 That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. 26 And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.”

Peter gives the prerequisites for the position of Apostle here:

Someone who saw Jesus and walked with him

and then the purpose of the position:

to be a witness of the resurrection.

To share the gospel.

They chose two men to pray about based on these two things.

Then they did something that we don’t do today…they cast lots.

this is mentioned 70 times in the OT and 7 yimes in the NT

but what is it?

The bible actually doesn’t decribe it in detail.

Resources go back to what it could have been and all agree it is basically what we would call now games of chance.

for instance…like flipping a coin.

The prayer before hand is asking God to direct this randomness to give insight into his will.

So they got them togther, and it looked like a coin flip at the super bowl haha

maybe but it could have been sticks, pottery shards, dice, or anything simliar.

While a practice we see in the bible, there is no instruction to believers today to trust in games of chance to discern the will of God.

Now it is through prayer, trusting God’s Word, and relying on the Holy Spirit to guide us.

But why?

What’s the purpose of growing? The purpose of developing into the person God desires us to be?

Romans 15:1–2 “1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.”

Romans 15:1–2 CSB

1 Now we who are strong have an obligation to bear the weaknesses of those without strength, and not to please ourselves. 2 Each one of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.

AS we grow stronger in our faith, we help build others up for their good.

Colossians 3:16 “16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

teaching and admonishing one another.

The purpose of spirtual growth in the believers life is to help others grow spiritually.

All of this points back to the great commission Jesus gave in Matthew

Matthew 28:19–20 “19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

“Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever i ahve commanded you…”

This part isn’t just about doctrine…all things…

yes…what you believe but also…how to live it.

What does knowing that we live by faith and not sight do if we aren’t actually living it out….in our homes…in our relationships…

You can teach someone about the trinity, which is a good thing, however can you help them to utilize their understanding of the trinity as a means to know God in sucha way their freinds and family know a difference?

Can you help someone with biblical principle and truth when they ask a question about handling situations at work or with their extended family?

The Bible exists for us to know God more. We know God more not to just know more about God but to adjust our lives to glorify Him more.

We glorify Him more by not just leading people to him but by lovingly leading people to walk with Him in all areas of their life.

Matthais became an apostle and began serving the church in the role God had called him to.

Some argue about his apostleship becuase of Paul and say that because he wasn’t mentioned anywhere else hew asn’t actually an apostle…they acted on their own and it was who God chose.

First off only Peter, John, and Paul are mentioned following this chapter.

Second, THe disciples were moving forward by faith based on the Word of God. There is no reason to beleive this wasn’t of the Lord.

Lastly, historically we have the evidence of the church thriving during this first century and beyond. Followers of jesus being baptized, and small assemblies throughout the world popping up.

All becuase individuals took responsiblity for their spiritual development so that they could help develop others.

Resolution-Develop yourself spirtually for the purpose of developing others

Impact: Negative: spirtually weak followers of jesus in the church and home. Positive: the world being turned upside down.